Stringed instrument



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Shet. 1.

A. GANSS.

STRINGED INSTRUMENT. No. 474,120. Patented May 3, 1892.

41 II II II II II II II II II II I/ II n u Wifgczsszs: Igazgia (No Model.) 2SheetsSheet 2- A. GANSS. STRINGED INSTRUMENT.

Patented May 3, 1892.

- H v n UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT .d'ANSS, OF AUSTIN, TEXAS.

STRINGED INSTRUMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 474,120, dated May 3, 1892.

Application filed October 30, 1891- Serial No. 410,364. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT GANSS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Austin, in the county of Travis and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Stringed Instrument, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in string-instruments of that class employing a neck and a veneer body and adapted to be played by the fingers.

The objects of my invention are to provide an instrument that may be conveniently supported upon the lap of the player without any supporting-bands, that is of unique and handsome appearance, that is strong and durable, not liable to be injured by ordinary falls, in which the bridge is secure, the neck properly braced, and to give to the body such shape as will increase its resonance, while at the same time preserving the musical sweetness inherent in instruments of this class.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in certain features of construction hereinafter specified, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective of a musical instrument constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section. Fig. 3 is a horizontal transverse section. Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal section.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

The body of the instrument is constructed of one or a multiple of layers of veneer and is put together in the ordinary manner. The body comprises the front and back sections 1 and 2, respectively, which are connected at their outer edges by the side sections 3. The main body of the instrument is of a regular shape, the details of the shape being left somewhat to the discretion and taste of the manufacturer, and atits lower end is reduced somewhat and squared to form an opening 1, which is covered by a removable cover 5, set into the opening and connected with the edge of the same, which is flanged for this purpose, as at 6, by a series of screws 7. This cover not only serves the ordinary function of a cover,

but also as a flat base upon which the instrument may be stood when not in use. At its upper end and at opposite sides the body is extended to form a pair of lyre-shaped arms 9, which arms are tapered, as shown, and combine to form an intermediate space. Near the junction of the arms and body the front wall of the latter is provided with a series of sound-openings 10. The lyre-shaped arms greatly increase the resonance and tone of the instrument, besides constituting a convenient support by which the instrument may be supported upon the lap. Atintervals the interiorof the bodythat is, the front and rear walls thereof-are strengthened or reinforced by transverse ribs 11, extending from one side wall to the other.

12 designates the bridge, having the usual perforations for the reception of the pegs 13, whereby the strings are held in position. In order to strengthen the bridge and prevent the same from pulling out, I glue to the under side of the front of the body opposite the bridge the reinforcing-strip 1 1.

15 designates the neck, which is secured to the front end of the body, between the arms thereof, and the keyboard 16 overlaps the body a short distance, as shown. The neck is of the usual guitar pattern in this instance, though the shape of the same is immaterial. The usual nut 17 is mounted in theneck, and over the same are stretched the strings, which 'lead to the usual keys, with which the neck is provided. In front of the nut the neck is connected at opposite sides to the inner ends of a pair of transverse rods 18, the outer ends of which pass through the lyre-like arms and are nutted, as at 19, beyond the arms. These rods serve as supports t0 the arms, preventing the same from becoming broken by ordinary falls, and also serve as a brace for the neck and prevent the same from becoming sprung by the tension of the strings.

From theforegoing description it will beseen that I provide a musical instru ment somewhat resembling the shape and construction of both a mandolin and alyre, and which I aptly term a mandolyre. In playing the instrument the same is rested upon the lap, the lower arm serving as a support, while the flugers of the right hand are employed in manipulating the strings and those of the left hand in operating over the frets. The large body given the instrument adds greatly to the volume, and the lyre-shaped arms together therewith increase the resonance and sweetness, as well as improve the general tone. The sound-openings it will be understood may be given any shape desired and either increased or decreased, as the maker may determine, and their location changed.

Having described my invention, what I claim is- 1. The herein-described musical instrument of the class mentioned, consisting of a lyreshaped hollow body, an intermediate fretted neck located between the lyre-like arms and con neeted to the body, and strings connected to the body and to the outer end of the neck of the body, substantially as specified.

2. Theherein-(lescribed musical instrument, consisting of the lyre-shaped hollow body, the fretted neck secured to the body, extending between the arms thereof, and the transverse brace-rods leading from the opposite sides of the neck to the arms of the body, and the strings connected to the body and to the outer end of the neck, substantially as specified.

3. The herein-described musical instrument, eonsistingof the lyre-shaped hollow body, the fretted neck secured to the body and located between the arms thereof, the strings connected to the body and connected to the outer end of the neck, and the transverse bracerods leading from the opposite sides of the neck to the arms of the body, the outer ends of said rods being extended through the arms and nutted outside of the same, substantially as specified.

4. In a musical instrument of the class described, the combination, with the body, and the perforated peg-receiving string-securing bridge, and the reinforcingstrip glued to the under side of the front of the body immediatel y opposite the bridge, substantially as specified.

5. Theherein-described musical instrument, consisting of a lyre-shaped veneer body having at its lower end the reduced flattened portion provided with an opening and an encircling flange, and the removable cover secured removably to the flange by means of screws and adapted to serve as a base or stand for the instrument, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

AL BERT GANSS.

\Vitnesses:

R0131. J. HILL, N. S. WALTON. 

